The results of a survey of produce handlers indicate that: (a) the estimated value of wholesale sales of organic produce in New Jersey for 1988 was $1 to $3 million; (b) half of the respondents inexperienced in selling organic produce are interested in selling organic produce; (c) the primary motivations to participate in the organic produce market are perceived health and environmental concerns and consumer demand; (d) consumers will pay a 30% price premium for organic produce; (e) supply and price are obstacles to expansion of the market; (f) locally grown produce is preferred;and (g) three-quarters of those interested in selling organic produce say that a certification program would assist them.

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Fax-on-demand is a new system of communications that combines computer, fax, and telephone technologies. Corporate use of fax-on-demand has shown it to be a rapid, user-friendly, economical way to disseminate technical support information. A project was initiated to evaluate the usefulness of fax-on-demand for disseminating “time-sensitive” crop management information to growers. The system, named the “RCE FaxInfo Line,” has made extension newsletters, pesticide label updates, market price summaries, IPM insect counts and treatment thresholds, etc. available to callers 24 hours a day. While most of the producers surveyed felt the system fit their needs, there has not been widespread use. A limiting factor has been the lack of producers with fax machines. A recent survey revealed that only 8% of New Jersey farmers own fax machines. If this technology is to be effective for extension, the percentage of growers utilizing fax machines must increase.

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